September 29, 2008 -- Toronto, Canada – Optech Incorporated, a provider of advanced lidar survey instruments, announced today a new addition to its Airborne Survey portfolio, the ALTM Orion. The result of direct input from lidar survey professionals, this high-performance mapping system represents a new era in lidar design and technology.

With the same industry-standard features you have come to expect from much larger systems, the ALTM Orion offers flexibility and survey efficiency in an ultra-compact design. With a high-accuracy capability that is independent of laser pulse rate, boasting the latest in tightly-coupled inertial technology, Orion will exceed your engineering accuracy requirements and minimize your collection costs.

Standard design features include environmentally isolated enclosure, modular construction, flip-out service panels and optional external data storage for maximum reliability and efficiency in the most demanding of environmental conditions.With no external control rack and associated cables, Orion will fit into virtually any airborne platform.

“The ALTM Orion is simply the most compact lidar system available,” said Mr. Don Carswell, President of Optech Incorporated. “With a total volume of less than 0.03 m3, this new product is purpose-designed for reliable operation, flexible installation and integrated multi-sensor compatibility—exactly what the industry has been demanding.”

About Optech Incorporated

Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and support of advanced laser-based survey instruments. We offer client-driven lidar solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, airborne laser bathymetry, laser imaging, mine cavity monitoring and industrial process control, as well as space-qualified sensors for orbital operations and planetary exploration.